The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the San Antonio Spurs on the road Friday night, 140-112, without Ja Morant, who sat out due to right foot soreness. He has played in 24 of the Grizzlies first 42 contests on the season.
Ja Morant Becomes Ineligible for NBA Awards Under New 65-Game Rule
Morant’s Absences Impact Award Eligibility
This marked Morant’s 18th missed game of the season, officially making him ineligible for any regular season NBA awards or honors, such as MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and All-NBA Team. Despite his absences, the Grizzlies have managed a strong 27-15 record, placing them third in the Western Conference standings.
Morant is averaging 21.4 points and 7.5 assists in a solid campaign so far this season but has not been available for a good part of the year. While Morant is undeniably a talented player, he has not participated in more than 65 games in a season since his rookie year. Under the current eligibility rule, he will need to improve his availability moving forward if he hopes to accumulate individual accolades for his career resume.
All-Star Game Exemption
Morant remains eligible for the All-Star Game, as the event does not have a minimum game requirement for participation. His popularity and electrifying playstyle will likely earn him a spot, despite the missed games.
The 65-Game Minimum Rule
The NBA implemented the new 65-game minimum rule at the start of the 2023-24 season to discourage teams from resting players excessively, a practice known as load management. This rule was introduced as part of the league’s latest collective bargaining agreement with the players’ association.
The rule aims to address an ongoing concern: players resting during high-profile games, often frustrating fans and broadcasters. Gregg Popovich’s strategic load management with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili—sometimes during nationally televised games—pioneered this trend, which has since become widespread across the league.
Other Superstars Face the Same Challenges
Morant isn’t the only superstar affected by the new rule. Luka Dončić has also officially become ineligible for NBA awards after missing too many games this season. Dončić was one of the favorites to win MVP and was nearly guaranteed of making an All-NBA team. His situation highlights the challenges posed by the rule for players who may miss games due to legitimate injuries rather than load management.
A Flawed Solution?
While the league’s effort to combat load management is commendable, questions remain about the fairness of the 65-game minimum. The rule creates significant challenges for players who suffer injuries. Missing 10-13 games due to an injury leaves little room for additional absences, making it nearly impossible for players to qualify for awards if they endure even minor setbacks later in the season.
At the end of the day, Morant understands the ultimate goal is winning a championship. However, the NBA must find a way to balance its efforts to curb load management with fairness for players who miss games due to legitimate injuries. Exceptional seasons should not go unrecognized simply because of circumstances beyond a player’s control.
This rigid approach could exclude deserving players from recognition. For instance, if a player delivers an MVP-caliber season but plays only 64 games—entirely due to injury—they would still be eligible for MVP or an All-NBA Team selection.
The NBA should consider implementing a variable that accounts for games missed due to injuries, reducing the risk of disqualifying players unfairly. Balancing fairness and the goal of minimizing load management is crucial to ensure the rule serves its intended purpose without creating undue hardships.
